7.1

Overview

Ford calls this European-conceived compact a "multi-activity vehicle." While that MAV acronym is probably not going to get on, the way the C-Max Hybrid rises above portrayals is a major piece of its allure.

The C-Max is extremely a utility vehicle like a hybrid, yet it's been downsized into a sort of compact wagon that is sufficiently huge for enormous errands. The 2017 Ford C-Max is a gas-electric hybrid auto that offers great mileage and sufficient stockpiling on account of its hatchback outline.

With costs beginning at $24,120 for the base SE trim, the C-Max Hybrid is one of the least expensive hybrid autos you can purchase. The C-Max competes with Toyota Prius, Hyundai Ioniq, and Lexus CT 200h.

Titanium 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Expert Review

carhp editorOctober 11, 2018

7.1

Overall Rating

6.9/10Features

8.5/10Engine

9.0/10Fuel Economy

8.6/10Interior

5.5/10Exterior

7.1/10Safety

The Ford C-MAX has been there for quite some time but this facelift to the C-MAX has a few refinements that add to the enhancement of the wagon’s performance, fuel economy, and factors alike. The compact wagon has been reinvigorated for a better ride and handling experience with more comfortable interiors that are built with high-quality materials.

Starting at a price of $24,120, the Ford C-MAX is available in two trim levels namely the Ford C-MAX Hybrid SE and the Ford C-MAX Hybrid Titanium. The Hybrid SE is the base model and it is suitable for budget-minded buyers. The Hybrid Titanium Trim Level comes with the advanced features of the Ford and it is priced around a $3,000 higher than the SE.

Features

6.9/10

The Ford C-MAX comes with a starting price of $24,120 and it is available in two trim levels as the Hybrid SE and the Hybrid Titanium. The Hybrid SE will be the best option for a budget-minded buyer as it has almost all the functionalities at the basic level. However, the Hybrid Titanium features all the advancements of the Ford.

The C-MAX Hybrid SE manages to meet the expectations of the buyer with surplus functionalities. It features dual-zone automatic climate control and power adjustable driver seat which are all not outdated advancements in technology. In terms of entertainment and connectivity, it features a 6-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, SYNC, and a USB Port. The C-MAX Hybrid Titanium is loaded with abundant advancements to the already existing features of the Hybrid SE.

Trims

C-MAX Hybrid SE

C-Max Hybrid Titanium

MSRP

$24,120

$27,120

Features

Cloth upholstery

Power-adjustable driver’s seat

Dual-zone automatic climate control

6-speaker audio system with Bluetooth and USB port

SYNC voice recognition system

Rearview camera

Includes features found in the SE trim

Leather upholstery

Heated seats

2 USB ports

9-speaker audio system

Rear park assist,

SYNC 3 system which includes an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation

Whichever trim level of the C-MAX you opt for, they contain the same 2.0L four-cylinder gasoline engine that includes an electric motor with a lithium-ion battery. Power is supplied by a Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT) System.

Engine

8.5/10

“The 2018 Ford C-Max Hybrid has nimbler handling and quicker acceleration than nearly every hybrid rival. Among wagons, it’s one of the most fuel-efficient options available, though the C-Max Hybrid’s gas mileage isn’t up to snuff compared to other hybrids.”- cars.usnews

Engine and Transmission

In both the Hybrid SE and the Hybrid Titanium Trim Levels the Ford C-MAX comes with a 2.0L iVCT Atkinson-Cycle Inline-4 Hybrid Engine that runs on Gasoline. The Hybrid engine includes Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission System that ensures delivery of 188hp power. The C-MAX Hybrid’s powertrain works both on gasoline and electric power and the transition between the two is a smooth and comfortable one. The CVT Transmission System is electronically controlled and it works in such a manner that it feels like automatic.

Models

Ford C-Max (SE)

Toyota Prius (One)

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue)

Nissan Leaf (S)

MSRP

$24,120

$23,475

$22,200

$29,990

Engine/Motor

2.0L iVCT Atkinson-Cycle I-4 Hybrid

1.8L, 4-cylinder Aluminum DOHC 16-Valve

1.6L GDI DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder

110kW AC Synchronous Motor

Transmission

CVT Automatic

CVT Automatic

6-Speed Automatic

Single Speed Automatic

Power

188 hp

121 hp

139 hp

147 hp

Torque

129 lb-ft

105 lb-ft

109 lb-ft

236 lb-ft

The other rivalries are not able to beat the Ford C-MAX in terms of power however, the Nissan Leaf manages to deliver an amazing amount of 236 lb-ft of torque that is the maximum among all the competitors.

Acceleration

The 2018 Ford C-MAX Hybrid is exceptionally fast in accelerating from the halt and it features a smooth and comfortable acceleration. It reaches the speed of 60mph in just 7.9sec, however, among the rivalries the Nissan Leaf(S) is found to be the fastest as it reaches the 60mph in just 7.5 seconds. The Toyota Prius (One) and the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue) are found to be 2-3 seconds slower than the other two rivalries. The Ford C MAX and the Nissan Leaf(S) differ just by 2 seconds in reaching the quarter-mile.

Models

Ford C-Max (SE)

Toyota Prius (One)

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue)

Nissan Leaf (S)

0-60 MPH

7.9 sec

9.7 sec

8.1 sec

7.5 sec

Quarter mile

16.0 sec

17.1 sec

16.8 sec

15.8 sec

Engine/Motor

2.0L

1.8L

1.6L

110kw Electric Motor

Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)

4.4

The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid and the Toyota Prius(One) may be slower because of their lower capacity engines but they are found to be emitting a lesser amount of CO2 when compared to the Ford C-MAX which emits up to 4.4 Tons/yr @ 15Kmi/year.

Handling and Steering

The Ford C-MAX Hybrid has a self-possessed handling when compared to most of the other hybrid competitors. It has the front-wheel-drive that delivers a peaceful and cozy ride making the long-distance rides smoother than ever.

It comes with an Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) that induces outstanding control over the steering wheel and also contributes to more amount of fuel efficiency by using it as and when it is needed. It also helps a lot at turnings where the steering wheel has to be turned to a greater angle.

Braking

The Braking System of the Ford C-MAX includes a vented front and solid rear disc brakes that constitute more of a non-traditional braking system. The braking system also includes a regenerative energy-recovery system and the Hybrid Hatchback comes to a stop from 60mph by eating up 128ft of the track.

Model

Ford C-Max (SE)

Toyota Prius (One)

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue)

Nissan Leaf (S)

Brake Front(in)

10.9

10.0

11.0

11.1

Brake Rear(in)

11.0

10.2

10.3

11.5

Curb Weight(lbs)

3640

3075

2996

3433

60-0 MPH (ft.)

128

121

124

129

The Nissan Leaf is found to consume the highest distance of 129-feet to come to a halt from 60mph whereas the Toyota Prius(One) and the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid(Blue) cover a lesser distance of 121 and 124 feet to come to a halt.

Fuel Economy

9.0/10

The Ford C-MAX delivers a fuel economy out of gasoline that is not up to the mark when compared to the other hybrid class vehicles. It delivers a 42/38 mpg fuel economy on City/Highway roads which is much less when compared to the Toyota Prius(One) and the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid(Blue).

Model

Ford C-Max (SE)

Toyota Prius (One)

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue)

Nissan Leaf (S)

MPG (City)

42

50

57

125 (eMPG)

MPG (Highway)

38

54

59

100 (eMPG)

MPG (Combined)

40

52

58

112 (eMPG)

The maximum amount of fuel efficiency is delivered by the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue) that gives 57/59 mpg on city highway roads. The Toyota Prius delivers a 7mpg less on city roads and a 5mpg lesser on the highway roads when compared to the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue).

Interior

8.6/10

“Climb inside the 2018 Ford C-Max Hybrid and you’ll find handsome styling, high-end materials, and excellent build quality. It looks and feels like you’re in a more expensive car. The seats are comfortable and roomy, and the available infotainment system is easy to use.”- cars.usnews

Seating and Comfort

The Ford C-MAX features an elegant and exceptionally well-designed cabin that adds a rich look and feel to the interior. It features a Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control and a Smart Gauge with Eco-Guide. All the competitors including the Ford C-MAX have an equal seating capacity of 5.

Model

Ford C-Max (SE)

Toyota Prius (One)

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue)

Nissan Leaf (S)

Passenger capacity

5

5

5

5

Passenger Volume (ft cube)

99.7

93.1

96.2

92.4

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg)(In.)

41.0/55.9/43.1

39.4/55.0/42.3

39.1/56.1/42.2

41.2/54.3/42.1

Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

39.4/55.2/36.5

37.4/53.0/33.4

37.4/55/35.7

37.3/52.5/33.5

The Ford C-Max Hybrid is found to have the highest passenger volume of 99.7 ft-cube that is a 3.5 ft-cube higher than that of the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue). It offers more shoulder room and leg room for both the front and rear seat passengers.

Interior Features

Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control

Rear Seat Heat Ducts

Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel

Steering Wheel with Secondary Audio Control

Cruise Control

Infotainment System

The infotainment system varies in two Trim Levels of the Ford C-MAX Hybrid. The SE trim level comes with the SYNC Entertainment System with integrated Voice Recognition Communication, 6-speakers, USB Port, and AM/FM/CD/MP3 Audio Systems. On the other hand, the Ford C-MAX Hybrid Titanium comes with the advanced SYNC 3 Infotainment System with 9-speaker Audio System from SONY and HD Radio Technology. This infotainment system is highly-responsive and recognizes voice input at high speed.

Cargo Capacity

The Ford C-MAX Hybrid contains second-row seats that are 60/40 Split Forward Foldable that contribute to making up more volume for cargo space. The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue) is found to have the maximum cargo space and the Ford C-MAX and Toyota Prius have an almost equal cargo space with 0.1 ft-cube difference.

Model

Ford C-Max (SE)

Toyota Prius (One)

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue)

Nissan Leaf (S)

Volume (ft cube)

24.5

24.6

26.5

23.6

Exterior

5.5/10

“As for the C-Max, its rounded and mounded exterior pays off on the inside, where there is ample headroom and space for taller people and objects.”- Kelley Blue Book

Dimensions and Weight

The Ford C-MAX Hybrid features a striking exterior look with its 17-inch wheels and all-LED headlights and taillights. The Ford C-MAX has the highest value in Curb Weight, Width, and Height when compared to the rivalries. The C-MAX Hybrid is 72.0-inches wide and 63.9-inches tall and the closest to these values is for the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue) that is 71.7-inches wide and the Nissan Leaf(S) that is 61.4-inches tall.

Model

Ford C-Max (SE)

Toyota Prius (One)

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue)

Nissan Leaf (S)

Curb weight(lbs)

3640

3075

2996

3433

Length(in)

173.6

178.7

176.0

176.4

Width(in)

72.0

69.3

71.7

70.5

Height(in)

63.9

58.1

56.9

61.4

Ground clearance(in)

5.5

5.1

5.3

5.9

Wheelbase(in)

104.3

106.3

106.3

106.3

Track width(in) F/R

60.5/60.4

60.2/60.6

61.5/62.1

60.6/61.2

In terms of ground clearance, the Nissan Leaf(S) has the highest value of 5.9-inches which is a 0.4-inches greater than that of the Ford C-MAX Hybrid. The Toyota Prius (One), Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue), and the Nissan Leaf(S) tie up in having the same wheelbase value of 106.3-inches.

Exterior Features

17-inch alloy wheels

All LED headlights and taillights

Integrated Blind Spot Mirrors

Centre High-Mounted Stop Lamp

5-Door Multi-Activity Vehicle

Safety

7.1/10

Besides the performance, capabilities, advancements, exteriors, and interiors there are a lot of safety features that are noticeable in the compact sedan. The 2018 Ford C-MAX Hybrid has been ranked #6 in Wagons and #14 in Hybrid and Electric Cars by the U.S.News & World Report. It has also obtained an overall rating of 4 from the NHTSA in terms of safety.

The ratings that are given by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) for the various safety measures are listed below.

Safety Ratings by NHSTA

Overall Rating

4 Star

Frontal Crash

4 Star

Side crash

5Star

Rollover

4 Star

Safety Ratings by IIHS

Crashworthiness

Small overlap front test result

Acceptable

Rear crash protection result

Good

Moderate overlap front

Good

Side

Good

Roof strength

Good

Safety Features

Advancetrac w/Roll Stability Control Electronic Stability Control (ESC) And Roll Stability Control (RSC)

Competition

Ford C-MAX Hybrid vs Toyota Prius(One)

The Ford C-MAX is found to have the best features when compared to the Toyota Prius(One) in terms of engine capacity, power delivery, acceleration, handling as well as interior space. Though the Toyota Prius costs $1000 lesser than the Ford C-MAX, the C-MAX is the best pick because of its feature-richness.

Ford C-MAX Hybrid vs Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue)

The engine specifications of the Ford C-MAX Hybrid cannot be beaten by the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid and it does not deliver that much power as the Ford C MAX. It is found to be slower in both acceleration and braking when compared to Ford C-MAX, however, in terms of fuel economy, the Hyundai Ioniq is more efficient.

Ford C-MAX Hybrid vs Nissan Leaf(S)

The Nissan Leaf is a completely electric car that delivers a good performance with its engine motor and single speed transmission engine. It is the most eco-friendly rivalry that runs completely on electric power and best suited for highway travels. If you are budget minded you can very well go for the Ford C-MAX as the Nissan Leaf costs a $5000 higher than the Ford C-MAX.

Final Verdict

The 2018 Ford C-MAX Hybrid is a compact hatchback that delivers as much power as possible and though it does not deliver an up to mark fuel economy among the cars that run on gasoline, it does offer a smooth and safe ride to the occupants. The Ford has showcased a reasonable amount of differences in the two trim levels and it is the buyer’s choice to choose one among the two as per their requirements.